Aliquippa School Board Votes To Replace Veteran Football Coach

ALIQUIPPA (KDKA) — Half a dozen people spoke at the Wednesday night meeting of the Aliquippa School Board, describing long-time high school football coach Mike Zmijanac as not just a great coach, but a better person and teacher.

One speaker said, “His loyalty to Aliquippa is unprecedented.”

Another man said, “This coach, in mine, and in many other’s opinions, should be retained in this position.”

Coach Zmijanac sat in the audience listening intently, but chose not speak on his own behalf.

When it came time to vote, the nine member school board decided 7-2 to start advertising for the position of a new head coach.

After the decision was made, Zmijanac’s reaction was terse.

“The school board should always do what’s best for the school and for the kids in the program, that’s obviously what they did,” he said.

During his 21 years as heard coach, the Quips record was 237 wins, and only 36 losses.

His teams racked up six WPIAL titles and one state championship.

The Aliquippa superintendent refused to explain why the the school board decided to look for a new coach.